Did you write any of the books one way but changed it and now wonder what would have happened if you went if your original idea?
Love this question and YES!!
The biggest change I made was not killing off Bill. My intention from the beginning was to have Bill die in battle and have us learn of his and Julie’s story through the memories and flashbacks she had while they were waiting for word. I had David be a boy to be a reminder and spitting image of his daddy.
The problem was that when I had beta readers begin looking at the flashbacks in Love Endures, they fell in love with Bill, and to be honest, I did, too. I also didn’t think I could tell Julie he was gone forever. Bill’s story became one of honoring our soldiers and their families and showing the struggle so many deal with. Bill is modeled after a member of my family and he is named for my father who passed away. I am so incredibly happy I kept him in the story.
None of the connection to Brittany could have happened if Bill wasn’t here. That arc of the series made such a difference in so many lives and I am incredibly happy I listened to feedback and now I can’t imagine the series without Bill.
Keeping Bill alive also enabled the inclusion of Bill’s backstory in a way only he could tell. Learning about Chris was something I hesitated to do because he really had no redeeming qualities and the issue/connection he had with Janet was horrific. The juxtaposition of Bill and Chris was something I felt was important because no matter what we find ourselves in the middle of, we always have the option to make our own choices. I wanted Bill to be the example of what good there is out there, despite the horrors of abuse.
Another issue I changed was having Naomi born. I never intended on her making it. Much of what Brittany has gone through would level the strongest of people, and a pregnancy was just such a longshot. It wasn’t the HIV as much as her platelet issue. Brittany’s blood clotting issues are serious and legitimate and the potential for her to bleed out was real.
The reason I changed my mind was because, through Tommy and Brittany, I began to fall in love with Naomi. I felt she was worth the risk and bringing her into the series was some of the most challenging and touching chapters I’ve written. I want her struggles to be real because a baby born with her issues will go through so much. I always want the medical issues the characters experience to be real and accurate and I never want to take the easy way out. That doesn’t mean I don’t take some liberties, but overall, the realism is important to me.
I adore Naomi and she will continue to be the shining light in her parent’s eyes.
Thank you! I actually have a few more answers to this question, so stay tuned 🙂
